Central Woodlands

Today, our school community paused to mark a solemn milestone:

the 25th anniversary of September 11. Through a brief morning announcement and a moment of silence, we honored the lives lost and remembered the incredible heroism, resilience, and unity that emerged in the days that followed. Even though our students were born long after 2001, reflecting on how communities come together during tough times is a timeless lesson in empathy and kindness that we strive to practice every day.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership, support, and for sending us such wonderful kids every morning. I hope you all enjoy a peaceful and restful weekend!

~Amy (Mrs. Major)

Remember to Order Your Yearbook!

Should any cancellations occur, we will use SchoolMessenger text and email, and the bus ride app to communicate a cancellation. It is also posted on the FHPS website.

We made this video when our school got a new parking lot a few years back. The traffic flow remains the same, several years later! Please review the helpful CW dismissal video below to ensure a safe and smooth pickup! Share with your carpool and any friends or family members who will pick up your child from school, too!

We are hiring for Lunch/Recess Aides- 2 hours a day!

Apply Here!

Email: cwattendance@fhps.net

or call 616-493-8798 (24 hour attendance voicemail)

You may also report via Parent Portal

You must notify the Office (not the student's teacher) if someone not listed

as an emergency contact will be picking up your student early for any reason.

We can not release students to anyone not listed in PowerSchool.

If you need to pick up your student prior to 3:45 dismissal, please call or email the attendance line. If it is an emergency, notify the office as soon as possible (not the child's teacher).

There will be no early dismissal passes given after 3:30.

September 18... Popcorn Friday!

September 21... Early Release Day (Dismissal Time - 1:45 p.m.)

September 25... Picture Retakes!

REMEMBER TO ORDER A YEARBOOK WHEN ORDERING PICTURES!

Central Woodlands 5th Grade Students have an opportunity to participate in team building through a field trip to Camp Roger. Students will experience three activities. The activities the students may participate in include: learning survival skills, climbing towers, and various other team-building activities. Fifth grade staff and parent/guardian chaperones* will accompany groups of students as they go through each activity. Please have your student dress appropriately for the outdoors and the weather.

Buses leave Central Woodlands at 9:00 AM and will return by 2:00 PM

Tuesday, Sept 22: Patrick, Johnson

Tuesday, Sept 29: MacFarlane, Klomparens, Notaro, Curcuru

Wednesday, Sept 30: TenEyck, Gillies, Greer

Lunch: Students may either bring a sack lunch from home or order a sack lunch from the cafeteria. It is recommended that students bring a healthy snack as well. Please note on the permission slip if you will need a sack lunch.

$25.00 per student will cover the costs of transportation and the day of activities at Camp. Please make your check payable to Central Woodlands or Pay Online through e-funds (permission slips still need to be turned in) https://payments.efundsforschools.com/v3/districts/56719/login

We are still looking for two very important committee chairs - Conference Meals & Staff Appreciation Week! We would love to have these filled asap to ensure they don’t get missed.

Sign Up Here

Please see the attached letter in regards to behavior expectations at athletic events.

Join our Ranger community at the annual Ranger Country Community Tailgate on Friday, September 18, 2026. Lots of fun activities, food trucks, and Ranger pride! Purchase your $10 youth wristbands at the tailgate to participate in the pre-game activities; adults are free. All festivities occur at FHC High School lower turf field and adjacent parking lot. Go Rangers!

FHPS is excited to have a working dog at CW. FHPS PRIDE Pups are a beloved part of our staff. They support students' academic and social-emotional well-being.

If students want to say hello to Kai, they must ask the handler first! He is excited to be back to work!

*School Begins - 8:45 a.m.

*Dismissal - 3:45 p.m.

First bell for students to enter school is at 8:35 a.m. Instruction begins daily at 8:45 a.m. Breakfast is served 8:35-8:45 a.m.

*Outdoor supervision is not provided prior to 8:30 a.m. or after 3:55 p.m.

Please see the attached guidance from our district nurses on when to keep your child home from school due to illness.

SchoolMessenger will be our primary method of communication with families. School Messenger alerts will be sent to you via email. You must "opt in" to recieve text messages.

Opt-in to receive SMS messages from Forest Hills. Text “YES” to 67587 from the cell phone or mobile device we have in PowerSchool.

Go to the website for additional information.

6th Grade Students will need a Music Shirt (Band, Orchestra, and Choir) for performances. They will be for sale in the office for $10.

Fill out a volunteer form to help in classrooms, work with the PTO, or go on field trips!

Electronic Devices

Students will not be allowed to carry or use cell phones during the school day, district-wide. Phones are available in the office should a student need to contact their parent/guardian. If families believe that their child needs access to a cell phone before or after school, it will be the student's responsibility to ensure that his/her phone remains powered-down and stored in a backpack/locker during school hours. This includes smart watches. Thank you, CW Families, for your support with this!

CW is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen personal electronic devices.

K-6 Student/Family Handbook

Our handbook provides a wealth of information including important annual notices from FHPS.

Families and students may access the handbook on www.fhps.net under "Students”.

• FHC Pom & Dance Clinic: Saturday, Oct. 24, FHC gym. The clinic is for grades JK-6th grade; registration is $55 per student. Students will learn dance techniques, receive a t-shirt, create a craft project, and more. All proceeds benefit FHC’s Pom & Dance team to travel to the national competition in Orlando. The morning session runs from 9:45 a.m.-1 p.m. and the afternoon session runs from 1:45-5 p.m. For more information and to register, go to fhcdanceteam.ludus.com/200540380.

• Middle School Girls’ Softball: Would your student (in 7th or 8th grade) be interested in playing middle school girls’ softball in the spring of 2027? If so, there is an interest form to note your student's level of interest in softball. Additional information will be shared later, but right now they’re gathering information on interest level. Complete the Google form for middle school softball if you have a student who might be interested in playing this spring.

• Cub Scouts Pack 3634: For boys and girls in grades JK-5th grade. The pack meets on Monday nights at 6:30 p.m. at Cascade Christian Church. Two fun programs are coming up in September: boat building on Sept. 9 and boat race day on Sept. 16. For additional information about scouting, contact Patty Clifford, Cubmaster of Pack 3634, hessx111@gmail.com.

• Calvin University Math Circle: An opportunity for 6th-8th grade students (typically 11-13 years old) to engage with exciting problems and topics in mathematics. Meetings are led by a professor in the Calvin math department and typically begin with a warm-up activity or game that leads into the day's problem or topic. The Math Circle seeks to generate enthusiasm for problem-solving in mathematics. Students also discover applications of mathematics and participate in a community that nurtures critical thinking, communication, and abstraction. This fall, the meetings will be on Tuesdays at Calvin University, 4-5:15 p.m., from September 29 to November 17. (Altogether 8 sessions.) Cost is $80/semester. Information and Registration: https://calvin.edu/go/mathcircle. For additional information, email Calvin professors Mike Bolt (mike.bolt@calvin.edu) or Jan Koop (kooj@calvin.edu).

• Girls in Aviation Day: The Great Lakes Chapter of Women in Aviation International is hosting its annual Girls in Aviation Day. The day is designed to introduce students (primarily ages 6-18) to the many educational and career pathways available in aviation and aerospace, including pilots, aircraft maintenance, air traffic control, engineering, airport operations, aviation business, unmanned systems, and many other fields. The event is Saturday, Sept. 19, at AVFlight near the Grand Rapids International Airport. Registration is FREE and you can do so online.

• Girls Choral Academy: This program is for students in grades 1-12 and is a place where she can be seen, heard, challenged, and celebrated. Through exceptional music education, meaningful friendships, and confidence-building experiences, girls develop skills that extend beyond the stage. Whether your child is an experienced singer or simply loves music, Girls Choral Academy provides a welcoming environment where she can grow as both a musician and a leader. For more information and to enroll in a choir program, visit their website, www.girlschoralacademy.org.

Please visit the FHPS website for additional opportunities, information about other nonprofit organizations, and community flyers. The school district does not sponsor/endorse or otherwise take a position on non-profit entities that exist separately from FHPS. We simply provide this service to our community in an effort to inform them of events/activities that may be of interest to school-aged children.

Principal: Amy Burton-Major amajor@fhps.net

Website: https://www.fhps.net/5-6-buildings/central-woodlands/

Location: 400 Alta Dale Avenue SE Ada, MI 49301

Main Phone Line: 616-493-8790